What happened
On November 27, 2006, a Bell 412 helicopter, registration I-AIVO, crashed into the Monte Basso ridge near Monasterolo di Cafasse, Italy. The flight was intended to be a mountain rescue training exercise in Ala di Stura, involving simulated winch operations for alpine rescue personnel.
Initially, the flight was canceled due to poor visibility at the departure site in Cafasse. However, after receiving a phone call stating that weather conditions at the destination were optimal, the pilot drove to the entrance of the Lanzo Valley to personally verify the visibility along the planned route. Finding the valley clear of fog, the pilot decided to proceed with the flight. Approximately three minutes after takeoff, the aircraft struck the mountainside, resulting in the fatalities of both occupants and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation examined the flight path, meteorological reports, and the pilot's decision-making process. Radar data showed the helicopter initially turned left after takeoff and disappeared from radar screens, likely due to a low altitude as the pilot attempted to regain visual contact with the ground. The aircraft reappeared on radar 25 seconds later, stabilized on a heading of approximately 270 degrees, before impacting the terrain at an altitude of 1,500 feet.
Investigators noted that the pilot was highly experienced, with over 6,500 total flight hours. The investigation also reviewed the operator's manual, which prohibited VFR flights if any portion of the route had visibility below 1.5 kilometers. Meteorological reports from nearby Torino Caselle confirmed visibility was significantly reduced due to dense haze and low cloud cover.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
- The pilot's decision to fly in marginal weather conditions violated the operator's manual, which prohibited VFR operations in visibility below 1.5 km.
- The pilot likely experienced a loss of situational awareness and spatial disorientation due to the low-visibility conditions.
- A possible contributing factor was the pilot's reliance on a visual landmark; investigators noted that two similar river bends in the area could have led the pilot to mistake his position and fly into the mountain.